Emotional Stress Cascade (Part 2)
Cue the Emotional Stress Cascade
The phone rang.
I hesitated before answering. The day hadn’t gone well up to that point, but really, what else could go wrong?
It was my mom. My favorite aunt had just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. My mom didn’t quite understand what it meant, but she knew it must be serious.
As I felt my mother’s fear and worry radiate through the phone, I noticed my own body reacting—my heart rate increased, my back ached, and my shoulders felt tight. Then my puppy ran by, chasing a ball and knocking over a chair. My patience snapped.
I found myself snapping at my mom when she needed me to be comforting. I yelled at my puppy, who was just playing.
Quickly realizing I needed space, I begged off the call, promising to check in later. But as soon as I hung up, I felt an overwhelming urge to eat.
Slamming cabinet doors as I searched for a snack, I grumbled to myself. Aha! Something sweet… or maybe that bag of stale potato chips. Why not both?
I sat down, shoveling food into my mouth without thinking. As I ate, I felt the tension start to ease. I sighed, only to realize I had once again responded to stress with irritation, tension, and binge eating.
Main Body
Have You Experienced a Stress Cascade?
This scenario is all too familiar—for me, for my clients, and for so many others.
The body’s stress response is powerful and pervasive. Imagine if every day felt like this, or if there were even more stressors piling on.
Here’s what’s happening inside during a stress cascade:
Inside the Stress Cascade
Stress Triggers Cortisol: Cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal cortex, helps regulate blood sugar and diverts energy to manage stress. It’s incredibly powerful—it can increase energy, mask pain, and even provide superhuman strength in emergencies. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated, it becomes catabolic, breaking down cells, tissues, glands, and organs over time.
Hormone Downregulation: During stress, the body deprioritizes non-essential functions, like reproduction. This downregulation impacts emotional well-being and brain health, particularly for women in perimenopause or menopause.
Digestion Suffers: Digestive processes slow down, as the body prioritizes energy for “fight or flight.” Reduced enzyme and hydrochloric acid production make nutrient absorption more difficult, leading to gut imbalances.
Gut Imbalances Develop: Poor digestion disrupts the microbiome, leading to issues like IBS, SIBO, food intolerances, and GERD. An imbalanced gut also contributes to systemic inflammation and discomfort.
Detoxification Slows: Stress impairs detoxification pathways, allowing toxins to accumulate, damaging cells, and contributing to chronic disease.
Neurological and Emotional Health Declines: Prolonged stress disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, creating erratic, anxious, or depressive responses.
Energy Levels Plummet: Chronic stress exhausts the mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, leaving you feeling drained and fatigued.
What Can You Do Next?
If you’re tired and overwhelmed, it’s time to assess how stress is impacting your body. Start by being mindful of how you feel throughout the day:
- When do you feel most fatigued?
- Do certain foods trigger discomfort? How?
- Are you experiencing inflammation or pain?
- What events trigger irritation or impatience?
- Do you notice increased anxiety or apathy at certain times?
- How are you sleeping?
- What are your digestion patterns? (e.g., constipation, diarrhea, or both)
- Are you struggling to maintain a healthy weight?
- Do you lack energy for physical activity?
Start journaling your observations. Awareness is the first step toward healing.
How I Help
As a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Professional and Board Certified Holistic Health Professional, I guide my clients through functional investigations, using personalized E.N.E.R.G.Y™ holistic lifestyle protocols. Together, we uncover the root causes of dysfunction and create sustainable solutions to support your body’s natural healing.
Don’t wait until symptoms become a medical issue. Addressing the stress cascade now can repair damage, reverse dysfunction, and alleviate symptoms.
What Can You Do Right Now?
Book a consultation to discuss Functional E.N.E.R.G.Y™ Solutions.
Download my Glow Up Guide for actionable steps to reclaim your vitality.
Take the first step toward feeling better today—you’re worth it.
Thoughtfully,
Tess Hanke
HHP, FDN-P, CFH, HTMA-MP
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Disclaimer: This article is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
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